Thursday, January 21, 2010

What Makes a Great Cook?

So often I hear TV chefs and cooks go on about making a great meal using the "freshest ingredients", or, "the best you can afford". To me, a great cook should be able to produce a tasty meal with nothing more than limp celery, old cabbage, some freezer-burned mince and some spices.

I'd love to be able to nip down to the Fresh Produce Market, pick up a few fresh scallops, some coriander,fresh beans sprouts and a couple of limes for a light quick entrée. But, realistically, I have to make do with vegetables and meat that comes in to our local store once a week.

I have a wonderful freezer that I make good use of. It's full of marinated chicken, lamb and steak as well as frozen mango cheeks, strawberry puree, raspberry coulis and diced watermelon. I freeze a lot of fruit to use in pies or for sorbets. My freezer also has a good supply of fish and prawns that I've purchased already frozen. I always have frozen veges on hand too, as the store may run out of green veges and they rarely get beans in unless I order them.

So, I reckon I can prepare a great meal without having the "freshest ingredients", direct from the grower or straight off the boat. It's all about planning ahead. Whenever I'm in Perth, I always bring home fresh fish and seasonal vegetables and fruit.

My pantry... man, I could live off my pantry for several months and never have to shop!

Pantry Left

Pantry Centre

Pantry Right

If I want to cook bread, biscuits, cakes, a curry, a tagine, a risotto, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek or Malaysian I have everything I need. All the spices, oils, beans, nuts, grains, flours, dried fruits and specialty ingredients I need.

My worst nightmare is deciding that I'm going to make something delicious for tea and find that I don't have the right ingredients. I know that necessity is the mother of invention, and I've certainly had to substitute from time to time, but I love to have all ingredients at hand.

3 comments:

LOL - just looking at the mess in my pantry this morning and thought -it desperately needs sorting. MrsT just puts the containers back without regard for my scheme of where things go. But can't discourage her - so a day cleaning every now and then.

It did look as clean as yours once ( or a few times - but only for a couple of days).

Bought some larger containers last week to put larger bags in too - so a chore for the weekend.

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Living in the bush has its pluses, but there are also a few minuses for a person like me who loves her food, loves cooking and enjoys trying new things.
I've put together this blog to help those who love food, love to cook and love to eat!
I like to eat unprocessed wholefoods and enjoy learning about new foods.
I'm a Thermomix fan, so many recipes will be designed for this wondrous machine, however, they can easily be adapted.
I'm interested in natural health and healing through nutrition, so you'll find a lot of wholefood recipes here and some hints and tips about healthy weight loss and good health through good food choices.
It doesn't mean there aren't delicious things to eat!